With the girls

Last weekend I went on one of my annual girls' weekends.  It was awesome.  I got to spend some time with some great girls.  We shopped, we saw a play, we ate, we laughed, we shopped some more and we laughed some more.  It's always so refreshing to have a weekend of girl time and girl talk.  I love going, but I also love coming home to kids who missed me.  

I know I've said it 5000 times, but our lives are BUSY.  But beginning in November life gets extra crazy.  It's hunting season and the holidays. That's why the middle/end of October is the perfect time for a girls weekend.  I get in one last weekend before it's all about hunting and the holidays.  

A new chapter

I had my first "real" day at my new job today.  I'm working at Little Saints Academy.  For now, I'm just learning how things work, and getting used to things, spending most of my time in the infant room.  From the sounds of things, I will eventually take over the toddler room or the preschool room.  It's kind of being left up to me to decide which I'd prefer. I'm torn.  I really feel like I'd like to spend some time in the toddler room.  Change things up a little.  BUT, I think that, professionally, it would be more beneficial for me to teach preschool.  It would probably look better on my resume if I ever want to get back into classroom teaching.  While on the other hand, my own preschooler has been challenging me, and I really don't want to get burnt out at work, and then come home to him.  It's not fair to him.  I'm not real sure what I'll do.  Time will tell.  For now, I'm going to enjoy this new adventure in life, and take things one day at a time. 

Add one to my list

Go ahead and add another addiction to my list.  Right behind facebook, comes my newest thing:  Pinterest.  Have you checked this out?  OMG--ADDICTING!  It's kind of hard to explain, but you sign up, and then you just search, based on things you like, or people you know (or don't know) who you "follow".  You can even "pin" things that aren't already on the site, but I'm not quite there yet.  I've been pinning things from ideas for crafts for the boys, to things for our new house, to ideas for my new job, to Christmas card ideas, to food, it's awesome!
I'm in love!  Sign up.  Follow me.  I'd love to follow you!!!!

Now what?

I walked out of St. Mary's School for the last time today as the fourth grade teacher. It was sort of bitter sweet.  

I didn't plan on teaching at St. Mary's forever.  I knew when I was hired, that the position wouldn't last forever.  For a few reasons (mainly financial) I was planning on spending a short time there.  But, I quickly fell in love with my job there.  I got comfortable.  They were good to me.  In the three years I was there I went on maternity leave twice. Never once did my principal complain about it.  

Even though I knew the end of my time there was coming, it was still kind of hard.  Maybe it has become difficult because I don't know what's next.  I am contracted there through August, so I will get paid until then.  I am also working 3ish days a week at Kids Company this summer, so I will be busy.  But, then what?  Will I find a full-time teaching job?  Will I go back to substitute teaching?  Will I go back to working in a childcare center?  Will I find the perfect part-time teaching job?  

At this point, I just have to have faith, and remember that everything happens for a reason.  There is a reason I'm not at St. Mary's anymore. Something will come up.  I may eventually end up back at St. Mary's.  Who knows.  

For now, I will enjoy my summer, continue my job search and say a few prayers. 

Prayers

**I pray that the right buyer comes along (sooner rather than later) and we can sell our house

**I pray that my friend who has been trying for a long time to have a baby has success in the baby-making department (sooner rather than later)

**I pray that my kids can get and stay healthy

           **This includes getting Tyson's ears figured out(sooner rather than later)

**I pray that my brother marries his girlfriend(sooner rather than later)  =)

       **I am about 80% sure he doesn't read my blog, if he does, he's probably going to kill me(but I'm willing to take that risk)  =) 

**I pray that I can make the right decision (sooner rather than later)about where to work in the fall

Ash Wednesday

I've been thinking about what I will give up for Lent this year.  It's been a while since I've actually given something up for the season.  Mostly because three out of the past four Lenten seasons, I've been pregnant.  

This year, I've been putting thought into it.  I know what I should give up, and I know what I might give up.  But what will I give up?

I should give up pop.  It's bad for me, and I drink a lot of it.  If I want to get rid of this blasted baby weight, I should stop drinking it.  BUT, it's my drug.  It's my "cold coffee". I feel like I need it.  

I might  give up a lot of things.  Maybe eating between meals.  Maybe chocolate.  Maybe chips.  Maybe eating out for lunch.  

Now, I just have to decide what I will give up.  

Are you giving anything up? 

Is it really about giving something up?
Sometimes it's more about what you will do rather than what you won't  do. I know that I will be more patient with my boys.  I will take time to appreciate what others do for my family and I, and thank them.  I will try to slow life down a little, and enjoy the little things.  

I get it now!

My husband has an obsession with cleaning off our driveway.  If it snows a lot, he will use the snowblower, then shovel the little bit that's left.  

If it snows a little, he spends at least an hour shoveling.  If I drive over the snow too many times before he gets to shovel it, it drives him nuts! 

Soooooo....yesterday we got, like an inch of snow.  I knew that he was planning to go outside and "shovel" after supper.  :::::I say "shovel", because I don't actually think that he's shoveling the whole time, I think he's wasting time, but I won't necessarily go there::::::

Keep in mind, that most nights, while he's "shoveling", I am in the house with all three boys. I'm doing the dishes after supper (please feel sorry for me, because we don't have a dishwasher, thanks), giving the boys baths, and getting them in their pj's, cleaning up toys, repeating at least 50 times, "please be nice to him", or "please keep your hands to yourself!", or "those are NOT for throwing!", getting their clothes ready for  the following day, doing laundry, making my lunch for the following day, getting the boys a snack....the list goes on.  

By 8:15, I am yelling out the door for the hubby to come in, because the boys are now officially tired, and are ready for bed.  This is when I need help.  So, he finally rolls in, and then he IS helpful.  On a good night, by 9:30, we have everyone in bed.  

Okay, I went on a slight tangent there, so anywho, back to my point: 

Last night, after supper and the dishes, I said, "Ok, I'm going out to shovel the driveway, and you can stay in with the boys." So, I bundled up, and headed out.  I get it now.  I understand why he spends so much time out there.  It's quiet.  I could get used to that job.  Unless, of course, there's more than an inch of snow, then it might be too much work.  I was out there for less than an hour, but I actually enjoyed it.  By the time I got back in the house, they boys were just starting to clean up their toys, and then we got them ready for bed. So, I got the driveway shoveled, I enjoyed a little peace and quiet, and I got a workout---bonus! 

Changes

Knowing that I will most likely, not have my teaching job for next fall, I've been thinking about my options, and what my ideal job would be.  

I would love, love, LOVE, to work three days a week, send my boys to daycare four days a week, and have one day a week to myself to "get sh-t done!". Now, that would be the life. Not the real world, but the life.

I have said before that I could not stay home with all three of my boys all day, every day.  I couldn't do it.  For multiple reasons.  

1.  I need to talk to adults.  

2.  I would end up spending a lot of money, because I can't just sit in my house, I'd end up going places.  Shopping.  Zoo.  Out to lunch.  Shopping.  Random outings.  

3.  I want my kids to go to daycare, at least part time, because I want them to be able to interact with other kids and adults besides their family members.  I think daycare is great preparation for school.

4.  My husband would feel the brunt of it, because, as soon as he walked in the door, I would expect him to take over.  

5. I am afraid of not working, for the fact that I went to college for 4.5 years, and am still paying for a degree that I wouldn't even be using.  

So, I'll have a few options in the fall.  

My first choice/priority is going to be to look for a teaching job in a public school.  Full or part time.  Sadly, I could work part-time in a public school and make the same yearly salary that I make right now.  

My second choice, will be to work at Kids Company, in the 4's childcare.  This is basically a childcare center for kids who go to preschool during the day.  If I choose to do this, I may send Kayden to preschool during the day a few days a week, and then he'd come to Kids Company on those days, and go to his regular daycare on the days he doesn't have school.  Going to preschool during the day would eliminate us having to drive Kayden to Avon one night a week for school, and daytime preschool is better preparation for (I don't even like to say the word) kindergarten (eek!). 

If by some, random chance, I would end up still having this job next year, I'd really have to think about whether or not I'd come back.  Not because I don't like my job, because I do.  The reasons I would consider not returning include, the price of gas, and the distance I travel to get here (unless, of course we actually sell our house, and move to Albany, which is about 20 miles closer), and my salary compared to the amount I have to pay for three kids in daycare.  

OR, maybe some other great opportunity will come along, and everything will fall into place.  For now, I'm not going to stress about it.  I will do my job to the best of my ability while I'm here, and when it comes time to start worrying about next year, then I'll start worrying about next year ;)

Germs, and a little sleep!

The sicky-ickies have finally made it to me.  I went to the clinic today and found out I have an ear infection and pink eye.  So, antibiotics and eye drops for me.  I swear, there is always someone on an antibiotic at our house.  

On the up-side of things:  Tyson woke up just once last night, and Tyler and Kayden slept all night! Of course, I was awake before Tyson woke up at about 2:00 a.m because my ear REALLY hurt.  BUT, he woke up just once!  I REALLY hope this isn't just a coincidence, but rather, a sign of things to come.  

We have no plans for tonight or tomorrow night. Thursday I will be home with the  boys all day, since I don't have school.  We'll finish wrapping presents, clean a little and make our birthday cake for Jesus.  Then, I work Thursday night and by Friday, the holiday craziness begins!!!! 

"Mommy, today's your birthday"

After I finally got the last rug-rat buckled in this morning, I pushed the backdoor of my car shut, and heard, "Happy Birthday Mommy".  Since I realized that I so rudely slammed the door as Kayden was trying to talk to me (and I kinda just wanted to hear him say it again) I said, "What did you say Kayden?".  With a little grin he said, as I climbed in the front seat, out of breath, "Mommy, today's your birthday".  

It is.  Today I am 28.  I used to think that 28 was kinda old.  But now that I'm here, I look at it a little differently.   People ask if we'll have any more kids. I always say, "Not any time soon". (Although, that's what I said after Tyler was born too).  I tell them that I feel like I'm young to be done having kids.  But, on the other hand, I do have 3 of them.

When I think about the past year---the time while I was 27---it's kind of a blur.  So much happened really.  

Just after I turned 27, I found out I was pregnant with Tyson.  Not only was I pregnant, but I was 17 weeks and 2 days pregnant.  (Picture my face, as I sat alone in the ultrasound room with the tech, expecting to hear somewhere between 5 and 8 weeks, which was what I had been told based on my blood work). 

While I was 27, my biggest baby turned 3.  My middle turned 1, and my littlest baby came into the world.  

While I was 27, we lost Mike's grandma, my Godmother, and my uncle.

While I was 27, I started my 3rd (and most likely final) year of teaching in a school where I am just starting to really get comfortable.

While I was 27, I decided to go back to working my Thursday night shift at the bowling alley.  I have been an employee there for about 6 years.  When I was pregnant with Tyler, I decided to just be a sub.  This fall, I decided to go back.  Working every-other Thursday night.  I decided to go back for a couple reasons.  One, we could use the extra money.  Two, it's time out of the house, with some adult interaction.  Three, I missed my job there.  I like the people, and it's usually kind of fun.  

Things have changed.  Good things have happened, scary things have happened, sad things have happened, but it all happened.  We can't change any of it.  All we can do is go forward and look forward to a year of being 28. 

Girl's Weekend

This past weekend was my "Fall Girls' Weekend". Friday morning, I dropped the boys off at daycare then went home and met Amy and my cousin Tammy. By 10:00 a.m. we were on our way! We met the rest of the crew in Maple Grove to see a cheap movie (Eat, Pray, Love). The movie was, eh. But it was fun. We had a few good laughs. After the movie we headed to Champps for drinks and appetizers, and then it was off to Albertville. We spent the late afternoon/evening shopping before we headed to our hotel to order pizza.
Saturday we slept in, had breakfast at the hotel, then headed to "The General Store" in Minnetonka. If you've never been there, you should definitely check it out. It's always a "must-stop" for us around Christmas time. We had lunch there, and then headed to "T-SPA". This is a beauty school. We had appointments for manicures/pedicures. We went this route because we thought it'd be cheaper than going to a fancy nail salon. Let me tell you---this was an experience. We all have our own story to tell about our experience. There is lots to laugh about now, but we most likely will not be going back there again. I'll just say that it's now Monday, and I have already removed the nail polish that was supposed to last 4 to 6 weeks =)
After the nail salon experience, we headed back to the hotel to relax for a bit. By relax, I mean stuff our faces and show off all of our purchases. While we sat around, we decided it might be fun to go to Ikea. A few of the girls had never been there so we freshened up and headed out. We each found a few things at Ikea, nothing spectacular, but it's always fun just to walk around there.
After Ikea we had dinner at Axel's Bonfire. This was another interesting experience. The food was just ok (Holli and I ordered the same thing, and when we got it, it was not what either of us had pictured). One of us (I won't use names) almost threw up on the table after taking a bite of garlic toast that tasted and smelled like dead fish, we watched a blind date happening, and we watched a couple in their 70's seduce each other--when our laughter became uncontrollable and extremely obvious, we decided it was time for us to leave. We headed back to our hotel to relax for the evening before getting ready to head home Sunday morning. All in all, it was a fun, relaxing weekend. Lots of laughs and memories. I can't wait for March when we get to go scrapbooking. Although, I've told my fellow scrappers that they should maybe not even talk to me for the 2 1/2 days we're there because I have A LOT to scrap!!!

Girl Time

As a family, we lead a very busy life. There is always something going on. It's rare that we have a weekend with nothing planned. Mike has his hobbies: hunting, fishing, his Harley, house projects. We have our hobbies together: volleyball, kickball, four-wheeling. And then, there are the things we do with our kids: pre-school, zoo trips, play dates, camping...
And then there is me. I love doing these things with my family, but my girl time is very important. Once a year I go on a scrapbooking weekend. I go with a group of girls and we scrapbook, we eat, we talk, we sleep, we read magazines, we shop....it's fun, it's relaxing, it's MY time. With that same group of girls, we do a fall weekend where we usually get a hotel, we shop, we eat (are you seeing a pattern here?), we talk, and I sleep for more than 4 hours straight =)
On Monday nights, from September until March, I play volleyball with another group of girls. It's one hour of time away from the house, but that time is amazing. I love it!
There is a group of four of us girls who have been trying to plan a once-a-month dinner out. No kids. No husbands. Just us girls. Do you think we could find a day that works for all of us???? We were supposed to go next Tuesday night. As the day gets closer, I'm realizing that Kayden has pre-school Monday night, I have a long-overdue haircut appointment on Wednesday, Tyson has a doctor appointment and picture appointment on Thursday, and then Friday I leave for my girls weekend. Starting Thursday night, Mike is on-call. So, I've decided to back out. It sucks. I WANT to go, but there is just so much going on. We will make it work (eventually). Who knows if we'll ever get to the point of once-a-month outings, but we'll start with once and see where it goes from there.